China began a large-scale vegetation restoration programme in 1999 to improve the environment. On the Loess Plateau, however, the rapid growth of vegetation coincided with a decline in groundwater storage and worsening groundwater drought. The region in north-west China already faces frequent droughts and severe water shortages, making the availability of groundwater important for vegetation and the wider ecosystem. Researchers studied this relationship between 2003 and 2015 to understand how expanding vegetation affected groundwater drought.
Get breaking news anytime, anywhere. Download the TOI app now!